Basic Details
Word: Positive
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Hopeful and confident; also completely sure, or (in maths) greater than zero.
Synonyms: hopeful, certain, sure, optimistic
Antonyms: negative, doubtful, pessimistic
How to Spell Positive
Syllables: pos - i - tive
Tricky part: There is one s, and the ending is ive with a silent e. The middle vowel is i, not a.
Watch out for: possitive, posative, positiv
Memory tip: Positive and position share posit with one s. Then end with ive, as in active and native.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Our teacher wrote a positive comment on my science project.
Example 2: Stay positive - the second half of the match is still to come.
Example 3: Any number above zero, such as 7, is a positive number.
Fun Fact
In mathematics, zero is neither positive nor negative; it sits exactly between the two on the number line.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word positive as it is used in the sentence:
The doctor was positive that the X-ray showed no broken bones.
a) sure
b) doubtful
c) confident
d) certain
Show answer
b) doubtful. Positive here means sure, so its opposite is doubtful rather than negative.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
possitive
a) v
b) t
c) s
d) i
Show answer
c) s. Posit, the start of the word, carries a single s.
Spell-o-Spell
Read the four words. Choose the meaning of the only correctly spelt word:
1. magnatic 2. positive 3. nutral 4. negetive
a) harmful, or saying no
b) not supporting either side
c) hopeful and confident, or greater than zero
d) able to attract iron
Show answer
c) hopeful and confident, or greater than zero. Negative has an a after the g, neutral has eu, and magnetic has an e after the n.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. In a blood test, a positive result usually means that ____.
a) the thing tested for was found
b) the test had to be cancelled
c) the blood sample was lost
d) the patient is feeling cheerful
Show answer
a) the thing tested for was found
2. A person with a positive attitude usually ____.
a) expects the worst
b) expects good things
c) never tries
d) complains all day
Show answer
b) expects good things
